what is power play in cricket

Powerplay is a term used in cricket to describe a set of overs with special fielding rules during a limited overs cricket match. The powerplay rule was first introduced in the 1980-81 Australian season). The powerplay is a phase of play in T20 cricket when only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle. In most domestic leagues and international Twenty20 cricket, the first six overs of an innings will be a mandatory powerplay, with only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Beginning with the seventh over, no more than five fielders will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle). In the Big Bash League, the powerplay is only the first 4 overs, with the batters choosing when the same restrictions apply for 2 overs in the second half of the innings, in a period called a Powersurge). In ODI cricket, the powerplay is a set of fielding restrictions which are enforced on the fielding team. The powerplay overs would allow only a select number of fielders within and outside the 30-yard circle on a cricket pitch. Powerplay, as it is now, divides the entire quota of 50 overs in an innings into three blocks - the first 10 overs, overs 11 to 40 and the final 10 overs. Fielding teams need to abide by different fielding restrictions during each of these phases. The batting team has the discretion to choose the timing of one of the two powerplays). The powerplay overs help the batting side generate crucial momentum needed to put a winning total on board or chase it down, making it an action-packed segment that is sure to produce excitement and drama one way or another.